The Ozark Highland Trail offers birders a unique experience, and for some, it's an annual pilgrimage to see the Cerulean Warbler on its breeding grounds. You will need sturdy hiking shoes and possibly a hiking stick as the narrow trail is steep and rocky. Long pants will prevent exposure to the abundant poison ivy along the trail. 

The Ozark-St. Francis National Forests are a significant source site for a wide variety of interior forest birds from Yellow-billed Cuckoos to Worm-eating Warblers. The Forest supports more than 1% of the state's population of interior forest birds including Acadian Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Cerulean Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, and Chestnut-sided Warbler. Future Forest management will provide habitat for woodland and savannah species such as Brown-headed Nuthatch, Bachman's Sparrow and Painted Bunting.

The Cerulean Warbler is the main draw at this location and can be found late April through summer months in the higher elevations along the trail. There is an old Rock House shelter further up the hillside that is likely as far as you would need to go for a Cerulean. We usually begin seeing/hearing them about 0.25 miles up the trail. If the trail splits anywhere along the way, take the portion that continues up. Cerulean prefer high elevations and large trees for nesting. 

This area is steep and rocky. A companion is recommended due to the uneven terrain. If hiking further, be sure to sign the trail log in the event of an issue. 

More information about the Ozark Highlands trail can be found on the Ozark Highlands Trail Association website and the Ozark National Forest website.

The southernmost portion runs along the Arkansas River Valley south to the Ouachita Mountains. The northern boundary extends beyond Lone Rock to Matney Mountain in Stone County. On the west the forest patchwork touches Oklahoma. The Main Division contains 3 ranger districts (Big Piney, Boston Mountain, and Pleasant Hill), 4 Wilderness Areas (Richland Creek, Hurricane Creek, Upper Buffalo, and East Fork), 4 Wild & Scenic Rivers (Big Piney Creek, Hurricane Creek, Buffalo River, and Mulberry River), 5 Scenic Byways (Ozark Highlands, Pig Trail, Highway 123, Mulberry River Road and Scenic 7), and 3 State Wildlife Management Areas (White Rock, Piney Creeks, and Ozark National Forest). Six endangered species and 5 threatened species live in the IBA. Diverse flora in the region include more than 500 species of trees and woody plants. Hardwoods occupy 72 percent of the forests; the oak-hickory types dominate.

Ozark National Forest is managed for multiple uses including both consumptive and nonconsumptive commercial and recreational activities. Recreational activities include hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, floating, kayaking, boating, camping, picnicking, swimming, hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, four-wheeler riding and photography.

Cherry Bend recreation area is a trailhead for the Ozark Highlands Trail, which is a long distance hiking trail. The trail goes to the left and right of the parking area. To look for Cerulean Warblers, cross the road to the trail entrance and hike uphill for 0.25-0.40 miles. It is steep and rocky, so sturdy hiking boots and a hiking stick are recommended.